The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne mulled it over for a second, then said, "Well, it's not exactly like that. My mentor was the kind who'd perk up at the sight of a dollar bill, and now, I'm all about the cash, too. So, I need you to ink a new deal, Vance. You know my Mr. Wolf's unemployed at the moment, and I've got a household to run."

With that, she whipped out a fresh contract and laid it before Vance, the figures in it a whopping fifty percent higher than the previous one.

Without a moment's hesitation, Vance scribbled his signature on the dotted line.

Money was no object when it came to this lifesaving contract.

After closing the contract, Vance's expression regained its composure. "So, is this the reason Jasper called me over today?"

Jasper shook his head. "Of course not. This is a matter my granddaughter brought to you. As for me, I've got another issue to discuss."

Vance straightened up. "What's on your mind?"

"The ancient warrior lineage."

Vance's eyes flickered with disbelief.

Jasper himself hailed from the ancient warrior lineage, and the Perez family held a lofty position within the Vanguard Agency. It was surprising he would broach the topic with Vance, knowing full well that Vance had always wanted to kick the ancient warrior lineage out of the Agency.

"Surprised, huh?" Jasper chuckled. "I know you've got a bone to pick with the ancient warrior lineage, feeling that us old-timers are flexing our family muscles, stifling your special squad's operations, and botching many a mission."

Vance frowned, his gaze drifting over to Percival and Vivienne.

Great, those two were at it again, playing house.

One sipping coffee, the other pouring - living the life of Riley.

Vance had to drag his attention back. "Jasper, just lay your cards on the table."

Percival handed Vance a freshly brewed cup of coffee. "Vance, Jasper here

lips. "Jasper, the deal with Mr. Percy is to boot the ancient warrior lineage out of the Vanguard Agency. What exactly is the

out. Over time, their influence has grown massive, almost monopolizing power, to the point where even the Perez and Martinez families sometimes

not merely vengeful. "You want to

where he

after what happened with Noah, did anything strike you

off? GTO managed to hide a mole in the Vanguard Agency for nearly sixty years, that..." Vance stopped short, suddenly grasping

Agency for six decades without anyone catching on? Like those ten children back in the day -

others on

not tell the difference between ten or twelve

with GTO cutting off its own tentacles to let Noah gain merit, his

never

power

It dawned on Vance.

lineages must have been pulling strings behind

Noah was GTO's mole, could it mean that someone within the lineage had

and Vance could not help

of coffee. "My mentor faked his own death because he was being hunted, and those hunters were from the ancient warrior lineages. There's likely a

voice lowered. "You're right. When I first tried to locate the Emerald Monastery, I sensed someone was

when his family was wiped out but

his

was after Finnian's life. Knowing he was no match for these

he returned, Finnian had succumbed to illness, leaving behind nothing but a

on, no word